Computer housing

ABSTRACT

A multipart computer housing is described. The multipart computer housing includes at least a structural support layer and a body. The body includes at least an outer layer formed of lightweight flexible material and an inner layer attached to the outer layer. The inner layer is connected to the support layer forming a load path between the inner layer and the structural support layer. A load applied to the multipart computer housing is transferred by way of the load path to the support layer without substantially affecting the outer layer.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This patent application is related to and incorporates by reference intheir entireties, for all purposes, the following co-pending patentapplications as follows:

(i) U.S. patent application Ser. No. 12/580,914, filed Oct. 16, 2009,entitled “PORTABLE COMPUTER DISPLAY HOUSING” by Bergeron et al.;

(ii) U.S. patent application Ser. No. 12/580,985, filed Oct. 16, 2009,entitled “PORTABLE COMPUTER ELECTRICAL GROUNDING AND AUDIO SYSTEMARCHITECTURES” by Thomason et al.;

(iii) U.S. patent application Ser. No. 12/580,946, filed Oct. 16, 2009,entitled “PORTABLE COMPUTER HOUSING” by Casebolt et al.;

(iv) U.S. patent application Ser. No. 12/580,934, filed Oct. 16, 2009,entitled “METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR POLISHING A CURVED EDGE” by Lancasteret al. that takes priority under 35 U.S.C. 119(e) to U.S. ProvisionalPatent Application Ser. No. 61/249,200, entitled “COMPLEX GEOGRAPHICALEDGE POLISHING” by Johannessen filed Oct. 6, 2009, which is incorporatedby reference in its entirety;

(v) U.S. patent application Ser. No. 12/580,881, filed Oct. 16, 2009,entitled “SELF FIXTURING ASSEMBLY TECHNIQUES” by Thompson et al.;

(vi) U.S. patent application Ser. No. 12/580,976, filed Oct. 16, 2009,entitled “BATTERY” by Coish et al. which is a continuation in part ofU.S. patent application Ser. No. 12/549,570, filed Aug. 28, 2009;

(vii) U.S. patent application Ser. No. 12/580,886, filed Oct. 16, 2009,entitled “PORTABLE COMPUTER DISPLAY HOUSING” by Bergeron et al.; and(viii) U.S. patent application Ser. No. 12/580,927, filed Oct. 16, 2009,entitled “COMPUTER HOUSING” by Raff et al.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The described embodiments relate generally to portable computingdevices. More particularly, the present embodiments relate to enclosuresof portable computing devices and methods of assembling portablecomputing devices.

2. Description of the Related Art

The outward appearance of a portable computing device, including itsdesign and its heft, is important to a user of the portable computingdevice, as the outward appearance contributes to the overall impressionthat the user has of the portable computing device. At the same time,the assembly of the portable computing device is also important to theuser, as a durable assembly will help extend the overall life of theportable computing device and will increase its value to the user.

One design challenge associated with the portable computing device isthe design of the enclosures used to house the various internalcomponents. This design challenge generally arises from a numberconflicting design goals that includes the desirability of making theenclosure lighter and thinner, the desirability of making the enclosurestronger and making the enclosure more aesthetically pleasing. Thelighter enclosures, which typically use thinner plastic structures andfewer fasteners, tend to be more flexible and therefore they have agreater propensity to buckle and bow when used while the stronger andmore rigid enclosures, which typically use thicker plastic structuresand more fasteners, tend to be thicker and carry more weight.Unfortunately, increased weight may lead to user dissatisfaction, andbowing may damage the internal parts.

Furthermore, in most portable computing devices, the enclosures aremechanical assemblies having multiple parts that are screwed, bolted,riveted, or otherwise fastened together at discrete points. For example,the enclosures typically have included an upper casing and a lowercasing that are placed on top of one another and fastened together usingscrews. These techniques typically complicate the housing design andcreate aesthetic difficulties because of undesirable cracks, seams, gapsor breaks at the mating surfaces and fasteners located along thesurfaces of the housing. For example, a mating line surrounding theentire enclosure is produced when using an upper and lower casing. Notonly that, but assembly is often a time consuming and cumbersomeprocess. For example, the assembler has to spend a certain amount oftime positioning the two parts and attaching each of the fasteners.Furthermore, assembly often requires the assembler to have special toolsand some general technical skill.

Another challenge is in techniques for mounting structures within theportable computing devices. Conventionally, the structures have beenlaid over one of the casings (upper or lower) and attached to one of thecasings with fasteners such as screws, bolts, rivets, etc. That is, thestructures are positioned in a sandwich like manner in layers over thecasing and thereafter fastened to the casing. This methodology suffersfrom the same drawbacks as mentioned above, i.e., assembly is a timeconsuming and cumbersome.

Therefore, it would be beneficial to provide a housing for a portablecomputing device that is aesthetically pleasing and lightweight, durableand yet environmentally friendly. It would also be beneficial to providemethods for assembling the portable computing device.

SUMMARY OF THE DESCRIBED EMBODIMENTS

This paper describes various embodiments that relate to systems,methods, and apparatus for providing a lightweight, visually seamlesshousing suitable for use in portable computing applications.

A computing device is disclosed. The computing device includes at leasta single piece, seamless housing formed of a lightweight, flexiblematerial. The seamless housing includes a top portion on which islocated at least one user interface and a body portion integrally formedwith the top portion. The computing device also includes a movable topcover pivotally connected to the single piece seamless housing. In thedescribed embodiment, the movable top cover and the seamless housing areshaped to create an appearance of a single continuous shape when themovable top cover is closed and in contact with the top portion.

A multi-part computer housing is disclosed. The multipart computerhousing includes at least a structural support layer and a single,seamless body. The single seamless body having no visible fasteners. Thebody includes at least an outer layer formed of lightweight flexiblematerial and an inner layer attached to the outer layer adapted totransfer and distribute a load applied to the computer housing. In thedescribed embodiment, the inner layer is physically connected to thesupport layer such that the load applied to the computer housing istransferred from the inner layer to the support layer withoutsubstantially affecting the outer layer.

In one aspect, the multipart computer housing is a plastic such asPCABS.

In another embodiment, a method is disclosed for organizing internalcomponents of a portable computer. The method can be carried out byperforming at least the following: providing a computer housing formedof substantially non-load bearing material, the computer housingconfigured to enclose a plurality of operational components at least oneof which is a load bearing operational component, attaching at least onestructural member to an inside surface of the computer housing,attaching the load bearing operational component to the at least onestructural member, and forming a load path by coupling a structuralsupport layer to the at least one structural member and the load bearingoperational component, the load path providing a path by which a loadapplied to the computer housing is transferred to the structural supportlayer without substantially affecting the computer housing.

In one aspect, at least a portion of the inner frame is formed of metalthat includes at least aluminum, magnesium, or alloys thereof.

A portable computer is disclosed. The portable computer includes atleast a housing formed of compliant non-load bearing material and havingan aesthetically appealing shape and aesthetically appealing surfacefeatures. A load distributing and load transferring endoskeletonattached to an interior surface of the housing, a structural supportlayer mechanically coupled to the endoskeleton formed of metald andproviding structural support for the portable computer and an electricalground, such that load applied to the housing is passed by theendoskeleton to the structural support layer with substantiallyaffecting the housing, a protective layer attached to an exteriorsurface of the structural support layer, the protective layer having anappearance in conformity with the housing, the protective layer forminga junction with the housing that protects the appearance of the housing.The portable computer also includes a top cover having a supportinginner frame, a display supported by the inner frame pivotally connectedto the endoskeleton by way of a hinge arrangement and a hingearrangement enclosure arranged to enclose the hinge arrangement. In thedescribed embodiment, the hinge arrangement enclosure includes at leastthe following: a back portion being visible to a user when the top coveris in a close state integrally formed from the top cover, and a coverportion being removeably attached to the back portion by way of a zipperlock arrangement such that when the cover portion and the back portionare joined, a resulting seam is not visible by the user when the topcover is in a closed position, and where the resulting seam aligns witha seam formed by the protective layer and the housing when the top coveris in the open position.

A lightweight portable computer is also disclosed. The lightweightportable computer includes at least a housing body. The housing body, inturn, can include an outer layer and an inner layer attached to theouter layer. In the described embodiment, the outer layer can be formedof lightweight and aesthetically pleasing material. The portablecomputer can also include a structural support layer attached to theinner layer in such a way that the inner layer transfers a load appliedto the portable computer to the structural support layer withoutsubstantially affecting the outer layer. The portable computer alsoincludes a top portion having an inner frame pivotally connected to thehousing body at the inner layer such that a top portion load istransferred by the inner frame to the structural support layer by way ofthe inner layer. The top portion having an aesthetically pleasing outershell attached to the inner frame.

In one aspect, the portable computer also includes a protective layerattached on an exterior surface of the structural support layer. The topportion, the housing body, and the protective layer being harmoniouslyarranged such that the portable computer appears to have a continuousprofile shape without any visible fasteners.

Other aspects and advantages of the described embodiments will becomeapparent from the following detailed description taken in conjunctionwith the accompanying drawings which illustrate, by way of example, theprinciples of the described embodiments.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The embodiments will be readily understood by the following detaileddescription in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, wherein likereference numerals designate like structural elements, and in which:

FIGS. 1-6 show representative views of a multipart housing suitable forsupporting a portable computer in accordance with the describedembodiments.

FIG. 7 shows a right side front facing perspective view of a portablecomputing device in an open state.

FIG. 8 shows left side views of a portable computing device inaccordance with the described embodiments.

FIGS. 9 and 10 show a top view and a front view, respectively, of aportable computing device in a closed state.

FIG. 11 shows an interior view of the portable computing device shown inFIGS. 7-10.

FIG. 12 shows a representation of top sub-assembly of portable computingdevice in accordance with the described embodiments

FIGS. 13-14 show a detailed view of load absorbing attachment featuresin accordance with the described embodiments.

FIGS. 15-17 show a cross section view of clutch barrel assembly inaccordance with the described embodiments.

FIG. 18 shows an embodiment of status indicator light (SIL).

FIG. 19. shows an embodiment of magnetic power module (MPM).

FIG. 20 shows a top view of camera assembly in accordance with oneembodiment.

FIG. 21 shows a cross sectional view of assembled display with alignedcamera assembly.

FIG. 22 shows a Hall Effect sensor in accordance with the describedembodiments.

FIG. 23 shows a location of the Hall Effect sensor shown in FIG. 22 on arepresentative main logic board.

FIG. 24 shows a location of the Hall Effect sensor shown in FIGS. 22 and23 in a representative portable computing system.

FIG. 25 shows a flowchart detailing a process for organizing internalcomponents of a portable computer system in accordance with thedescribed embodiments.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF SELECTED EMBODIMENTS

Reference will now be made in detail to representative embodimentsillustrated in the accompanying drawings. It should be understood thatthe following descriptions are not intended to limit the embodiments toone preferred embodiment. To the contrary, it is intended to coveralternatives, modifications, and equivalents as may be included withinthe spirit and scope of the described embodiments as defined by theappended claims.

The following relates to a multi-part housing suitable for a portablecomputing device such as a laptop computer, netbook computer, tabletcomputer, etc. The multi-part housing can include a structural supportlayer. The structural support layer can be formed of a strong anddurable yet lightweight material. Such materials can include compositematerials and or metals such as aluminum. Aluminum has a number ofcharacteristics that make it a good choice for the structural supportlayer. For example, aluminum is a good electrical conductor that canprovide good electrical ground and it can be easily machined and haswell known metallurgical characteristics. Furthermore, aluminum is nothighly reactive and non-magnetic which can be an essential requirementif the portable computer has RF capabilities, such as WiFi, AM/FM, etc.In order to both protect the structural support layer and provide anaesthetically appealing finish (both visual and tactile), a protectivelayer can be placed on an external surface of the structural supportlayer. The protective layer can extend up and around an edge of thestructural support layer to both enhance the aesthetic appeal of thehousing and to protect the appearance of the portable computer. Theprotective layer can be formed of, for example, thermoplastic elastomersuch as TPU.

The multi-part housing can also include a body. The body can include aouter layer supported by an inner layer that can provide support for acomputer assembly as well as transfer and distribute loads applied tothe portable computing device. The outer layer can be formed oflightweight yet durable materials. Such materials can include, forexample, blends of poly-carbonate and acrylonitrile butadiene styrene(ABS), also known as PCABS that exhibit high flow, toughness and heatresistance well suited for portable applications. The inner layer can beformed of composite materials, plastic, or metal such as magnesium ormagnesium alloy. The inner layer can be connected directly to thestructural support layer forming a load path between the inner layer andthe structural support layer. In this way, a load applied to theportable computing device can be distributed across the inner layer andtransferred along the load path to the structural support layer withoutsubstantially affecting the outer layer. Since the outer layer does nothave to be load tolerant, the outer layer can be formed of flexible, butaesthetically pleasing materials such as plastic that would otherwise beunsuitable for use with a conventional portable computer housing.

In the embodiments where inner layer is metallic or at leastelectrically conductive, the inner layer and the structural supportlayer can, taken together, provide a good electrical ground plane orelectrical ground. This can be especially important due to the fact thatby selecting plastic or other non-conducting material for the outerlayer, the outer layer cannot provide a ground. Moreover, due to theclose proximity of the operational components to one another in theportable computing device, it is highly desirable to isolate sources ofsignificant RF radiation (such as a main logic board, or MLB) from thosecircuits, such as wireless circuits, highly sensitive to RFinterference. In this way, the inner layer can include a metal framethat can, in combination with the structural support layer, be used toelectromagnetically isolate the MLB from other components in thecomputer assembly sensitive to RF interference such as a WiFi circuit.

Since the outer layer is essentially load isolated, the choice ofmaterials that can be used to form the outer layer can be widely varied.In this way, a product designer can create a look and feel for theportable computer well beyond anything realistically possible with aconventional computer housing. For example, the outer layer can beformed of light weight plastic and molded into any shape (such as anundercut shape). Since the outer layer does not provide much, if any,structural support for the portable computer, the shape of outer layercan also be widely varied. For example, the outer layer can present acontinuous spline profile so as to appear to an observer to be a singleunified shape with substantially no discontinuities. Moreover, sincethere is no need for external fasteners that would detract from theoverall appearance of the portable laptop computer, the overall look andfeel presented by the outer layer can be one of a simple continuousshape.

Again, since the outer layer does not carry any substantial loads, theouter layer can include a number of openings having wide spans that donot require additional support structures. Such openings can take theform of ports that can be used to provide access to internal circuits.The ports can include, for example, data ports suitable foraccommodating cables (USB, Ethernet, FireWire, etc.) connecting externalcircuits. The openings can also provide access to an audio circuit,video display circuit, power input, etc.

The portable computer can also include a movable cover. The movablecover can include an inner frame supporting a outer layer. The innerframe can in much the same way as the inner layer of the body,distribute and transfer a load applied to the movable cover. In thedescribed embodiments, the inner frame can be formed of materials thatare strong, lightweight and electrically conductive. Such materials caninclude, for example, magnesium and/or magnesium alloys. By connectingthe inner frame to the inner layer of the body, the inner frame canbecome part of the load path to the structural support layer. In thisway, any load applied to or created by the movable cover can bedistributed across the inner frame and transferred to the structuralsupport layer by way of the inner layer of the housing. For example, themovable cover can take the form of a lid that can be opened to reveal aportion of the body and closed to hide the portion of the body. Byconnecting the inner frame to the inner layer of the body usingconnectors, such as hinges, the inner frame can become part of the loadpath. In this way, a load imparted to the lid such as when the lid isopened (or closed), for example, can be transferred along the load pathfrom the lid to the structural support layer.

These and other embodiments are discussed below with reference to FIGS.1-25. However, those skilled in the art will readily appreciate that thedetailed description given herein with respect to these figures is forexplanatory purposes as the invention extends beyond these limitedembodiments.

FIGS. 1-5 show various configurations of multi-part housing 100(hereinafter referred to as simply housing) in accordance with thedescribed embodiments. Housing 100 can be used to enclose and support acomputer assembly. The computer assembly can include a plurality ofoperational components, such as a main logic board (MLB), hard discdrive (HDD), optical disc drive (ODD) and so on used in the operation ofa computing system. The computing system can be a desktop or portable,however, for the remainder of this discussion, the described embodimentsrelate to a portable computing system without any loss of generality.

Housing 100 can include structural support layer 102. Structural supportlayer 102 can be formed of materials such as metal (such as aluminumformed in a stamping operation) or composite materials. Housing 100 canalso include body 104. Body 104 can, in turn, include load transferringand load distribution inner layer 106 attached to outer layer 108. Outerlayer 108 can be formed of material that is chosen for its aestheticappeal and less for its ability to withstand stress or any significantloads. It is for at least this reason that inner layer 106 can bedesigned to carry substantially any and all loads applied to housing100. Accordingly, inner layer 106 and outer layer 108 can be attached toeach other in such a way that inhibits the transfer of a load from innerlayer 106 to outer layer 108. For example, inner layer 106 and outerlayer 108 can be attached together using adhesive 110, such as glue. Itshould be noted that the choice of adhesive should be such that theadhesive bond formed does not interfere with the load transferring andload distribution characteristics of inner layer 106.

As shown in FIG. 2, inner layer 106 can be mechanically coupled withstructural support layer 102. In this way, inner layer 106 can provide aload path to structural support layer 102 such that substantially anyload applied to inner layer 106 can be transferred to structural supportlayer 102 without unduly loading outer layer 108. Accordingly, outerlayer 108 can be considered to be load isolated in that substantiallyall loads applied to housing 100 can be transferred by way of load path112 to structural support layer 102 bypassing and isolating outer layer108. Protective layer 114 can be placed on an external surface ofstructural support layer 102. Protective layer 114 can be formed ofresilient material such as TPE that can include, for example, TPU thatis corrosion resistant and pleasing to the eye as well as to the touch.Protective layer 114 can extend over an edge of structural support layer102. When structural support layer 102/protective layer 114 ismechanically connected to inner layer 106, a junction can be formedbetween protective layer 114 and outer layer 108 that can protect theintegrity of the appearance of housing 100.

FIG. 3 shows an embodiment of housing 100 having body 104 and integrallyformed top portion 116 forming enclosure 118 suitable for accommodatinga computer assembly. The computer assembly can correspond to operationalcomponents adapted for a laptop computer or other portable computingdevice. In the context of a laptop computer, as shown in FIG. 4, movablelid 120 can be pivotally attached to enclosure 118 by pivotingconnectors 122. In this way, top surface 124 of enclosure 118 can beviewed when lid 120 is in an open state (revealing features on topsurface 124 such as a keyboard and/or touch pad) and hidden from viewwhen lid 120 is in a closed state. In the embodiment shown, lid 120 caninclude load transferring inner frame 126 that can support cosmeticexterior 128. Inner frame 126 can be particularly useful in thosesituations where lid 120 incorporates a display device such as an LED,LCD, etc. By being mechanically connected to inner layer 106, any loadat lid 120 (such as opening or closing lid 120 in relation to enclosure118) can be transferred along load path 112 from lid 120 to structuralsupport layer 102 without substantially loading outer layer 108.

FIG. 5 shows a representation of enclosure 118 in an orientationsuitable for receiving components during an assembly operation. In thisorientation, structural support layer 102 is not present and componentscan be placed into enclosure 118 and secured to and/or become part ofinner layer 106. Inner layer 106 can be attached to outer layer 108 byway of substantially non-load transferring adhesive 110. Duringassembly, various operational components can be inserted into enclosure118 through opening 130 and mounted to inner layer 106. It should benoted that the functional layout of the portable computing device can beused to optimize the ability of inner layer 106 to transfer anddistribute loads within enclosure 118. In one embodiment, enclosure 118can be apportioned into a number of regions that can be based upon theoperational components and their respective structural characteristicsincluded therein. For example, if enclosure 118 corresponds to a laptopcomputer, then enclosure 118 can be thought of as having front portion132 suitable for accommodating features such as a user interface alongthe lines of a touch or track pad. The user interface, can in turn, bestructurally supported by corresponding frame structure 134 mountedwithin an opening provided in top surface 124 for the touch pad. Inorder to adequately support the user interface, frame structure 134 canbe formed of strong, rigid material such as metal that can take the formof aluminum, magnesium, and/or magnesium alloy. By incorporating framestructure 134 into front frame 136 of inner layer 106, the intrinsicstiffness and strength of frame structure 134 can be used to augment theoverall stiffness of front portion 132 as well as augment the loadtransferring capability of front frame 136. Similarly, enclosure 118 canbe thought as having rear portion 138 that can accommodate otherfeatures, such as a keyboard that can be incorporated into an opening intop surface 124 using a heat stake process, for example, whereby heatsensitive posts are melted to form a bond between the keyboard and rearframe 140 described in more detail below. However, since the keyboard isvisible to the user, the keyboard is typically formed of materialsimilar to that of outer layer 108 therefore being unsuitable fortransferring or distributing loads. Accordingly, the design andconstruction of rear frame 140 must take into account the fact that thekeyboard cannot be relied upon to carry or transfer a load of anysubstantial magnitude.

After assembly, structural support layer 102 can be used to cover thecomponents assembled into enclosure 118 by, for example, placingstructural support layer 102 in contact with inner layer 106. In thisway, load path 112 can be formed by connecting inner layer 106 tostructural support layer 102 at a plurality of connecting points 142 byway of fasteners that can include screws, rivets, etc. It should benoted that there can be any number and/or combination of types offasteners used depending upon, of course, the particular design. Bysecurely fastening inner layer 106 to structural support layer 102, thefasteners at connecting points 142 can be used to transfer component ofload L in the Z direction (i.e., load component L_(Z))from inner layer106 “up out of the paper” to structural support layer 102 by way of loadpath 112 without substantially loading outer layer 108.

Therefore, by taking into consideration the load carrying or loadtransferring characteristics as well as the inherent or otherwiseenhanced stiffness of components installed in enclosure 118, the abilityof inner layer 106 to transfer and/or distribute loads can be enhanced.For example, FIG. 6 shows an embodiment of enclosure 118 having innerlayer 106 enhanced for both transferring and distributing loads inaccordance with a particular set of operational components, some ofwhich are load bearing and others non-load bearing. Front frame 136 canbe configured to include touch pad frame 134. In order to providestructural support for a touch pad, touch pad frame 134 can be rigidlyattached to outer layer 108 (using glue, for example) and as part offront frame 136, touch pad frame 134 can facilitate the transfer loadsin enclosure 118. In this way the inherent stiffness of touch pad frame134 can be added to the stiffness of outer layer 108 without adding anymore weight than would be otherwise be required. Moreover, as part offront frame 136, touch pad frame 134 can act in conjunction withattachment feature 144 (also part of front frame 136) using bridgefeature 146 to hand off load L between attachment feature 144 (used toattach non-load bearing component 148 to outer layer 108) and loadbearing component 150. Non-load bearing component 148 can be coupled toattachment feature 144 using load isolating connectors 152 that cansubstantially isolate non-load bearing component 148 from loads oneither front frame 136 (such as load L) or rear frame 140. In aparticular embodiment described in more detail below, load isolatingconnectors 152 can take the form of a slot and pin arrangement.Moreover, since attachment feature 144 can be connected to structuralsupport layer 102 by way of fasteners at connection points 142,attachment feature 144 can in addition to transferring loads in the XYplane transfer z component L_(z) of load L directly to structuralsupport layer 102.

Load bearing component 150 can be attached directly to structuralsupport layer 102 as well as to front frame 136 in essence becoming partof front frame 136. Load bearing component 150 can also be connected torear frame 140 at load transferring connectors 154. In the describedembodiment, rear frame 140 can take the form of a weight reduced metalplate located in rear portion 138 that can be used to provide at leastmechanical support for components, such as the MLB that cannot tolerateflexion. Rear frame 140 can be attached directly to enclosure 118 usingadhesives such as glue. It should be noted that rear frame 140 can beused to provide support to the keyboard by providing posts onto whichheat stakes can be melted during installation of the keyboard intoenclosure 118. Since load bearing component 150 can be connecteddirectly to structural support layer 102 and rear frame 140, loadbearing component 150 can spatially distribute loads in X, Y, and Zdirections. For example, load L can be divided into its threeconstituent spatial components, {L_(x) L_(y) L_(z)} each of which can betransferred independent of the others. In this way, load component L_(x)can be transferred independent of load component L_(y) by load bearingcomponent 150. For example, load component L_(y) can be transferred torear frame 140 by way of connectors 154 independent of load componentL_(x). Similarly, load component L_(z) can be transferred to structuralsupport layer 102 by way of fasteners 142 independent of either loadcomponents L_(x) or L_(y).

Rear frame 140 can be formed of strong and rigid material such as metalin the form of magnesium or magnesium alloy. Rear frame 140 can providesupport for components, such as the main logic board, or MLB, that donot tolerate much flexion. Rear frame 140 can distribute loads receivedfrom load bearing component 150 such by way of connectors 154 as well assupport the load isolating function of connectors 152. In someembodiments, rear frame 140 can be configured to provide support toexternal features fabricated in outer layer 108. For example, openings156 in outer layer 108 can be used to provide access to data ports,power ports and so on, some of which may be required to have relativelylarge spans. By providing local bypass structure 158, openings 156 canbe protected from loading thereby removing any need for reinforcement ofouter layer 108.

Additional support for rear portion 138 can be provided by rear bracket160 separate from rear frame 140. Rear bracket 160 can serve manypurposes not the least of which is to provide additional support forenclosure 118. In the described embodiment, this additional support canbe achieved by the fact that rear bracket 158 can act as a cantileverbeam. Accordingly, rear bracket 160 can be formed of strong,lightweight, and resilient materials such as metal along the lines ofmagnesium or magnesium alloy. In addition, rear bracket 160 can aid inthe distribution of high concentration loads that if applied to rearframe 140 without dissipation could adversely affect the bond betweenrear frame 140 and enclosure 118. For example, lid 120 can be coupled toinner layer 106 at connector 162 as part of rear bracket 160 that canextend out from the main body of rear bracket 160. This extension canhave the effect of dissipating and distributing high concentration loadsreceived when li 1920 is opened or closed. Rear bracket 160 can beattached to rear frame 140 at a number of points using load transferringtype connector 154 as well as to structural support layer 102 atconnecting points 142 using suitable fasteners. In this way, rearbracket 160 can act to minimize the concentration of loads, aid in thedistribution of loads within enclosure 118, and provide added stiffnessto enclosure 118.

FIGS. 7-8 show various open perspective views of portable computingdevice 200 whereas FIGS. 9 and 10 show various closed views of portablecomputing device 200.

FIG. 7 shows a right side front facing perspective view of portablecomputing device 200 in an open state. Portable computing device 200 caninclude a body having outer layer 202 and top cover 204 having display206 with protective layer 207. Top cover 204 can be moved with the aidof display clutch (not shown) by a user from a closed position to remainin an open position and back again. Display 206 can display visualcontent such as a graphical user interface, still images such as photosas well as video media items such as movies. Display 206 can displayimages using any appropriate technology such as a liquid crystal display(LCD), OLED, etc. Portable computing device 200 can also include imagecapture device 208 located on top cover 204. Image capture device 208can be configured to capture both still and video images.

Display trim (or bezel) 210 formed of suitable compliant material can besupported by structural components (not shown) within top cover 204 butattached to cosmetic rear cover 211. By not attaching display trim 210directly to a structural component provides for good registrationbetween the cosmetic rear cover 211 and display trim 210. Display trim210 can enhance the overall appearance of display 206 by hidingoperational and structural components as well as focusing a user'sattention onto the active area of display 206. Top cover 204 can becoupled to outer layer 202 using a hinge assembly also referred to asdisplay clutch assembly (hidden by a clutch barrel) that in turn can beconnected by way of a load path to structural support layer 212.Structural support layer 212 can be formed of composite material ormetal such as aluminum. Structural support layer 212 can be covered byprotective layer 214 formed of protective yet durable material that isboth attractive to the eye and the touch. Protective layer 214 can beformed of TPU that extends up and over an edge of structural supportlayer 212 to form TPU seam 215 with outer layer 202. TPU seam 315 canpreserve an appearance of continuity in the shape of outer layer 202.

Outer layer 202 can include a number of user input devices such as touchpad 216 and keyboard 218. Keyboard 218 can include a plurality of keypads 220 each having a symbol imprinted thereon for identifying to auser the key input associated with the particular key pad. Keyboard 218can be arranged to receive a discrete user input at each keypad using afinger motion referred to as a keystroke. In the described embodiment,the symbols on each key pad can be laser etched thereby creating anextremely clean and durable imprint that will not fade under theconstant application of keystrokes over the life of the portablecomputing device 200. Touch pad 216 can be configured to receive auser's finger gesturing. A finger gesture can include touch events frommore than one finger applied in unison. The gesture can also include asingle finger touch event such as a swipe or a tap.

Outer layer 202 can also include power button 222 arranged to assist theuser in turning on and turning off portable computing device 200. Audioinput device 224 can be used to receive audible input such as speech.Status indictor light (SIL) 226 can be used to provide a user withinformation. Such information can be related to, for example, anoperational status of portable computing device 200. Since outer layer202 can be formed of semi-translucent plastic material that can transmita noticeable portion of light (referred to as light bleed), SIL 226 canbe configured to substantially eliminate all light except that confinedby the geometric confines of a light emitting transparent portion of SIL226. Outer layer 202 can also include openings used for accessingoperational circuits mounted within housing 202. For example, disc slot228 can be used for inserting disc media such as compact discs (CDs) andor digital versatile discs (DVDs). As a convention, outer layer 202 canbe considered to be divided into front portion 230 and rear portion 232as viewed by a user when operation portable computing device. In thisway, touch pad 216 can be considered to be located in front portion 230and keyboard 218 can be considered to be located in rear portion 232.

Turning now to FIG. 8 showing left side views of portable computingdevice 200 and especially a more detailed view of a number of ports 234.Due to the fact that outer layer 202 does not carry any substantialloads, the openings in housing 202 used to accommodate the ports canhave a relatively wide span without requiring additional supportstructures. For example, opening 236 formed in outer layer 202 used toaccommodate an Ethernet cable connected to Ethernet port 238 must have arelatively large size in order to accommodate a standard Ethernet cableadapter. The same can be said for opening 240 used to accommodate powerconnector receptacle 242. It should be noted that opening 240 must havea high aspect ratio in order to accommodate power connector receptacle242. This is especially true since power connector adapter receptacle242 includes a relatively large platform 244, or mesa, that allows apower plug to more easily align to power connector receptacle 242. Otheropenings can include openings 246 and 248 used to accommodate USB cableadapter connected to USB ports 250 and 252, respectively. Audio jack254, FireWire™ port 256, video port 258, and optional port 260 can alsoincluded. In some cases, optional port 260 can be used as a lock portsuitable for receiving a locking key along the lines of a Kensingtonlock well known in the art. In any case, in order to prevent an outsideobserver from being able to view inside portable computing device 200using optional port 260, a cap formed of resilient material such asrubber can be mounted inside of optional port 260 to obscure any suchviews.

FIGS. 9 and 10 show a top view and a front view, respectively, ofportable computing device 200 in a closed state. More specifically, FIG.8 illustrates the uniformity of shape of portable computing device 200.This continuity in shape is evident by the continuous lines between topcover 204, outer layer 202, and structural support 212 and protectivelayer 214.

FIGS. 11-12 show various views of portable computing system 200. Morespecifically, FIG. 11 shows portable computing system 200 oriented alongthe lines shown in FIG. 6 revealing the layout of various operationaland structural components and their relationship to each other.Accordingly, non-load bearing component 148 can take the form of harddisc drive (HDD) 1102 connected to outer layer 202 by way of attachmentfeature 144. Attachment feature 144 can be coupled to load bearingcomponent 150 by way of bridge structure 146. In the describedembodiment load bearing component 150 can take the form of embeddedbattery assembly 1104. Battery assembly 1104 can include pull tab 1106used to assist in removing battery assembly 1104 from enclosure 118. Inorder to provide additional stiffness to outer layer 202, battery body1108 (used to enclose and support battery cells associated with batteryassembly 1104) can have a form and composition that can be mechanicallycoupled to and thereby add to the stiffness of outer layer 202. Batterybody 1108 can have a shape that can conform to the shape an interiorsurface of body 202 presenting a tighter, more integrated fit andcleaner more appealing appearance when structural support layer 102 isremoved.

At least some of holes 1110 are suitable for receiving fasteners (thatcorrespond to connectors 142 of FIG. 6) that can connect to structuralsupport layer 102 by way of attachment feature 1112. Battery body 1108can include holes 1114 that can accommodate fasteners (that correspondto load transferring connectors 154 shown in FIG. 6) that can couplebattery assembly 1104 to rear frame 1116. Attachment feature 1112 canalso include holes 1118 arranged to accept fasteners that can securebattery assembly 1104 to inner layer 106 by way of attachment feature1112 (along the lines of fastener 142 shown in FIG. 6). In this way,battery assembly 1104 can facilitate the transfer and distribution ofload L in any spatial coordinate. For example, battery assembly 1104 cantransfer load L having spatial coordinates {L_(x), L_(y), L_(z)} tostructural support layer 102 (L_(z)), or inner layer 106 (L_(x)), orrear frame 1116 (L_(y)). It should be noted that specific details ofbattery assembly 1104 can be found in co-pending U.S. patent applicationSer. No. 12/549,570, filed Aug. 28, 2009, entitled “BATTERY” by Coish etal. “Battery”, by Coish et al. incorporated by reference in its entiretyfor all purposes.

Rear frame 1116 can be formed of lightweight, electrically conductivematerial such as aluminum, magnesium or magnesium alloy. The weight ofrear frame 1116 can be further reduced by forming a plurality of holes1120 in rear frame 1116 using any number of techniques such as stamping.The plurality of holes 1120 can reduce the weight of rear frame 1116without substantially affecting the strength of rear frame 1116 or itsability to provide support for components that have little or notolerance for flex. Such components can include main logic board (MLB)1122. Due to the relatively large number of individual components on MLB1120 that are surface mounted or are otherwise susceptible to beingdamaged by flexion, MLB 1122 must be firmly supported. Other componentsmounted to and supported by rear frame 1116 can include fan 1124,optical disc drive 1126, and integrated audio/wireless card 1128electrically connected to MLB 1122 by way of flex 1130. It should benoted that, integrated wireless audio card 1128 in the embodiment shownis not mounted directly to rear frame 1116 but rather rests on ametallic platform that is part of ODD 1126 used to accommodate opticalmedia such as optical disc 1132. In addition to providing support, themetal platform can provide an electrical ground to which displaygrounding wires 1134 can be connected. Grounding pins (sometimesreferred to as pogo pins) 1136 can be used to make electrical contactwith structural support layer 102. In this way, an RF shield can beformed that can contain RF energy generated by various components on MLB1122. Moreover, the RF shield can also protect circuits such asintegrated wireless/audio card 1128 from RF leakage and interferencethat can seriously impact the wireless performance of integratedwireless/audio card 1128.

Rear bracket 1138 can be formed of lightweight and strong metal such asmagnesium or magnesium alloy and as such can be coupled to rear frame1116 and structural support layer 102. Rear bracket 1138 can alsofunction along the lines of a cantilever beam providing additionalmechanical support to outer layer 202. Furthermore, rear bracket 1138can be formed to include vent like structures that can facilitate thetransfer of air between enclosure 118 and the external environment whileat the same time obscuring an interior view of enclosure 118 from theoutside. Rear bracket 1138 can be part of inner layer 106 and as suchcan transfer loads from top cover 204 by way of a display clutch (notshown) at connectors 1140 (that correspond to connectors 154 in FIG. 6)to rear frame 1116 and connector 1110. In the described embodiment, rearbracket 1138 can include an extended portion 1144 that can act as acantilever beam by connecting rear bracket 1138 by way of connector 1146(corresponding to connector 162 of FIG. 6) directly to rear frame 1116.In this way, high concentrated loads, such as those generated when cover210 is opened or closed, can be distributed over a wider area of rearframe 1116 than would otherwise be the case. This distributing of thesehigh concentrated loads can result in reducing the likelihood ofadversely affecting the adhesive bond between rear frame 1116 and outerlayer 202 to which it is attached. Rear bracket 1138 can also attach torear frame 1116 at connectors 1148 (corresponding to connectors 154 ofFIG. 6). Rear frame 1138 can also include electrical contacts 1150 thatcan provide a ground path to structural support layer 102.

In order to enhance the aesthetic appeal of portable computing device200 in conjunction with providing a structural sound product, visibleseams are generally deemed to be undesirable. Besides being a visualdistraction, seams can attract dirt and dust and potentially createstructural integrity problems. Therefore, attempts to eliminate or atleast reduce the visual impact of seams can include implementing displayclutch barrel 1152 in such a way that in a closed state, display clutchseam 1154 cannot be normally seen by a user. Moreover, display clutchseam 1154 can be aligned with TPU seam 215. In this way, display clutchseam 1154 and TPU seam 215 provide an appearance of continuity whenportable computing device 200 is seen in a bottom view. Clutch barrel1152 can include circuits that can support other components. Forexample, clutch barrel 1152 can include an RF antenna used by integratedwireless/audio card 1128. In order to provide easy access to thesecircuits, clutch barrel 1152 can include clutch barrel cover 1156 thatcan be removed and attached in a zipper like action. It should be notedthat clutch barrel 1152 is described in more detail below.

Portable computing device 200 can also include other attachmentfeatures, such as restricted Z stack attachment feature 1158 that canattach a component, such as ODD 1126, in such a way as to restrict anymotion in the Z direction but providing ample motion in the XY plane forpost insertion adjustments. Load absorbing attachment feature 1160 (morespecific example load absorbing attachment feature 152 shown in FIG. 6)can be used in conjunction with load absorbing attachment feature 152 toattach non-load bearing components such as HDD 1102 to rear frame 1116and inner layer 106, respectively.

FIG. 12 shows a representation of top sub-assembly 1200 of portablecomputing device 200 in accordance with the described embodiments thatincludes installation pads 1202 suitable for placement of piezo-electricaudio transducers and attraction plate 1204.

FIGS. 13 and 14 show load absorbing attachment feature 1160 and 152 inaccordance with the described embodiments. As discussed above, loadabsorbing attachment features can be used to attach non-load bearingcomponents such as HDD 1102 to inner layer 106. In this regard,attachment feature 152 can include opening 1302 arranged to receive amounting post attached to the non-load bearing component. In order toisolate and or absorb any shocks, opening 1302 can be surrounded bysupport structure 1304 arranged to support the mounting post in a firmmanner. Support structure 1304 can be formed of material, such as hardplastic, arranged to transfer and distribute a point load originating atopening 1302 (from, for example, the mounting post). The point load canbe distributed out from support structure 1304 and into load (or shock)absorbing material 1306 that can take the form of soft plastic. In thisway, the point load received at support structure 1304 can be dispersedand absorbed by load absorbing material 1306.

In order to install the non-load bearing component as shown in FIG. 14,installation posts 1308 on one side of the non-load bearing componentare fully inserted into openings 1302. The non-load bearing componentcan then be lowered down onto receiving portions 1310 of attachmentfeature 1160. In the described embodiment, receiving portions 1310 canbe formed of essentially the same material as attachment feature 152having an upward facing semi-circular support portion 1312 within load,or shock, absorbing portion 1314 and sized to receive installation post1308 placed on the other side of the non-load bearing component. Onceinstallation post 1308 is placed within support portion 1312, upperlocking portion 1316 having complementary shaped locking portions 1318can be placed upon receiving portions 1310. Once properly placed ontoreceiving portions 1310, locking portion 1316 can lock installation pin1308 into place. In this way, installation posts are substantiallylocked in place and any shocks or loads (that can take the form of apoint load) at the receiving portion can be “spread out” by the lockingportion 1314.

FIGS. 15-17 show various views of top cover 204 and, in particular,specific embodiments of display clutch assembly 1500. FIG. 15 showsfront view of top cover 204 highlighting display 206 (display protectivecover 207 being more clearly shown in “A” cross section), and bezel 209.Display clutch assembly 1500 can be associated with connectors 1502 thatcan connect display inner frame to rear brace 1138 and rear frame 1116at connectors 1140 and 1110 (discussed above with reference to FIG. 11).Display clutch assembly 1500 can be partially enclosed within extendedportion 1504 of rear cover 211. Display clutch assembly 1500 canthereafter be fully enclosed by joining extended portion 1504 and clutchbarrel 1506 using a number of connectors forming a seam referred to asclutch barrel reveal 1508. Adding to the aesthetic look of feel, reveal1508 cannot be readily seen by a user when top cover 204 is in theclosed position. Furthermore, when top cover 204 is in the openposition, reveal 1508 can align with seam 215 giving the impression ofcontinuity even in those areas not expected to be readily seen by a userin normal operational use.

As shown in more detail in FIG. 16, display clutch assembly 1500 canenclose and therefore hide from view a number of electrical components(such as an RF antenna). Furthermore, extended portion 1504 can providefor a longer uninterrupted span for top cover 204. In this way, the beamheight “h” of top cover 204 can be increased by about δh providingadditional stiffness to top cover 204. Clutch barrel 1506 can include anumber of snap connectors 1512 that can be used in conjunction with passthroughs 1514 on extended portion 1504 to secure clutch barrel 1506 totop cover 204. For example, clutch barrel 1506 can be anchored todisplay bezel 206 by attaching lip 1516 to support 1508 and then securedto extended portion 1504 by inserting snap connector 1512 into passthrough 1514.

FIG. 17 shows a detailed view of clutch barrel 1506 and in particular aclose up, interior view of pass through 1514 on clutch barrel 1506 usedin combination with snap connector 1512 on extended portion 1504 tosecure clutch barrel 1506 to top cover 204. Clutch barrel 1506 caninclude plurality of pass-throughs 1514 each of which can accept acorresponding snap connector 1512. In this way, clutch barrel 1506 canbe securely connected to top cover 204 and yet, as with a zipper, easilyremoved when necessary by merely “unzipping” clutch barrel 1506 from topcover 204. This unzipping can be accomplished by pulling and seriallyreleasing a snap connector from the corresponding pass through. In thisway, when top cover 204 and clutch barrel 1506 are joined, the strengthof that joining is about equal to the strength of a single connectionmultiplied by the total number of such connections. Therefore, therelatively large number of such connections can result in a strong jointfar surpassing the strength of a single connection. However, as with azipper, clutch barrel 1506 can be removed simply and easily by seriallyundoing each connection one at a time.

FIG. 18 shows an embodiment of SIL 226. SIL 226 can take the form oflaminate structure 1800 having first layer of clear plastic 1802 andsecond layer of clear plastic 1804 each being capable of transmittingsubstantially all light incident thereon. Light filtering medium 1806can be placed between the layers of plastic. Light filtering medium 1806can take the form of ink having a color corresponding to the desiredcolor of the light emitted by SIL 226. In the described embodiment, theink can be a color in keeping with the overall look of portablecomputing device 200. Ink 1806 can color filter the light passingbetween the first and the second layers of plastic such that all lighttransmitted by the second layer of plastic is essentially the same coloras the ink, which in this case is substantially white. Ink 1806 can alsoact to bond the layers of plastic together. Third layer of ink 1808 canbe placed on the sides of laminate structure 1800. The third layer ofink being substantially the same color as layer 1806. The third layer ofink providing a uniform appearance of the light emitted by SIL 226 whenviewed by a user. In order to prevent light from escaping to outer layer202, fourth layer 1810 of light absorbing material can be placed on topof the third layer of ink. The fourth layer can be gray, for example orany appropriate color that will absorb light without becoming noticeableto the user.

FIG. 19 shows magnetic power module (MPM) 1900 suitable for use withportable computing device 200. In order to avoid damaging outer layer202 when repeatedly coupling a power cable to portable computing device200, power connector 224 can be shaped to include an alignment portionthat can also support a plurality of power connectors. The powerconnectors being used to conduct power from an external power supply toportable computing device 200. In the described embodiment, alignmentfeature 1902 allows the power connector 244 to guide the power adapter'scomplementary connector as it is moved towards the power connector 244in order to make a connection. This guidance causes the power connector244 to align with the power adapter to aid the connection of the two. Anexample of an alignment feature 1902 is the chamfered edges of thepedestal 1904. The combination of the force exerted towards the powerconnector 244 (by the user and the by the magnetic attraction of theopposing magnetic connectors) and the chamfered edges of the pedestal1904 cause the connector on the power adapter to properly align with thepedestal 1904. Therefore the electrical connectors 1906 from both thepower connector 244 and the power adapter connector are also properlyaligned.

FIG. 20 is a perspective view of camera module 2000 in accordance withthe described embodiments. Camera module 2000 can include camera printedcircuit board (PCB) 2002, lens holder 2004, camera lens 2006, camera LEDindicator 2008, and data transmission connector 2010. Alignment features2012 can have a chamfered interior shape that can aid in aligning andreceiving alignment pins. Also shown are support pads 2014 having oneside formed of foam other suitable material which are in contact withthe bottom of PCB 2002 and another side in contact with a supportingstructure, such as inner frame of top cover 204. Support pads 2014 canaid in the movement of camera assembly 2000 within a camera assemblyrecess formed in the supporting structure.

FIG. 21 shows cut away side view of camera assembly 2000 incorporatedinto top cover 204. In the described embodiment, frame 2102 can beformed of magnesium or magnesium alloy arranged to support housing 2104that can be formed of plastic. Camera assembly 2000 can be placed withinrecess 2106 formed in frame 2102 having a size and location toaccommodate camera assembly 2000. In order to install and properly aligncamera assembly 2000, in particular, camera lens 2008 to lens opening2108 in bezel 2110, bezel to housing alignment posts 2112 located on aninside surface of bezel 2110 can be placed into and coupled withcorresponding receiver assembly 2114. In the described embodiment,receiver assembly 2114 can have a tube like body 2116 originating athousing 2104 and sized to receive alignment post 2112. During assembly,housing 2104 can be mounted to frame 2102 by inserting body 2116 intoframe alignment holes 2118. Once housing 2104 is securely mounted toframe 2102, bezel 2110 can be mounted to frame 2102 but registered tohousing 2104 by inserting alignment posts 2112 into the correspondingopen end of receiver assembly 2114 and into body 2116. It should benoted, however, that alignment post 2112 can be longer than bezel tocamera alignment post 2120. In this way, alignment post 2112 can engagereceiver assembly 2114 prior to the engagement of alignment post 2120and alignment feature 2012. Due to the chamfered nature of alignmentfeature 2012, the engagement of alignment post 2120 with 2012 can havethe effect of moving camera assembly 2000 if there is any mis-alignmentbetween camera lens 2006 and lens opening 2122 in bezel 2110. In thisway, any mis-alignment between camera lens 2006 and lens opening 2122can be eliminated efficiently and easily.

FIG. 22 shows a full and cut away perspective views of Hall effectsensor (HES) assembly 2200 in accordance with the described embodiments.HES assembly 2200 can include Hall effect sensor 2202, PCB assembly2204, and electrical connectors 2206. Compression molded boot 2208 canencapsulate most of Hall effect sensor 2200 leaving a top portion of PCBassembly 2204 exposed as well as enough of electrical connectors 2206for electrically connecting HES assembly 2200 to electrical connectorson a motherboard. In the described embodiment, HES assembly 2200 can besurface mounted directed to a motherboard, or other such PCB, usingadhesive layer 2210 that can take the form of double side adhesive tape.Moreover, HES assembly 2200 can be electrically connected to componentson the motherboard by way of electrical connectors 2206 without the needfor flex or other indirect connectors. In this way, the cost of and thetime consumed in assembly can be reduced.

FIG. 23 is a full view of representative motherboard 2300 (along thelines of MLB 1116) in accordance with the described embodiments. HES2200 can be mounted to motherboard 2300 by way of riser board 2302.Riser board 2302 can be generally inexpensive to assemble and parts ormodules may be attached to it relatively easily. In one embodiment, HESassembly 2200 can be attached to riser board 2302 by use of connector2206. Using connector 2206 to attach HES assembly 2200 to motherboard2300 is more efficient and less costly than soldering HES assembly 2200on to motherboard 2300 or use flex circuitry. Boot 2208 and adhesive2210 can act together to maintain HES assembly 2200 securely in place.In addition to easing assembly, riser board 2302 is closer to the topsurface of the main housing making HES assembly 2200 more sensitive todetection of the magnet in the display housing.

FIG. 24 shows a translucent side view of representative portablecomputer 2400 in a closed position illustrating the proximity of sourcemagnet 2402 and Hall effect sensor 2202 in accordance with the describedembodiments. By elevating the position of Hall effect sensor 2202relative to motherboard 2300, the distance between source magnet 2402and Hall effect sensor 2202 can be reduced over conventionally mountedHall effect sensors. By reducing the distance between source magnet 2402and Hall effect sensor 2202, Hall effect sensor 2202 can have improvedrelative sensitivity without resorting to a sensor that is moresensitive and therefore more costly and/or a stronger source magnet.

FIG. 25 shows a flowchart detailing process 2500 in accordance with thedescribed embodiments. Process 2500 can provide for enhanced loaddistribution and transference in systems having a housing formed ofsubstantially non-load bearing material. Such material can include, forexample, plastic along the lines of PCABS well known for use in portablecomputers such as laptops. However, process 2500 can describe a computerframework that can provide for load isolating the non-load bearinghousing by utilizing an inner layer adapted to both distribute a loadand transfer the load to a structural support layer withoutsubstantially affecting the housing.

Process 2500 can be carried out by performing at least the following. At2502, a computer housing can be received. The computer housing can beformed of material, such as PCABS, that is substantially non-loadbearing. As such, housing 2502 can have a shape that is widely variedand can have a number of openings that facilitate access to internalcircuits such as an audio circuit, a USB circuit, and so on. At 2504,based upon the computer assembly to be installed within the computerhousing, internal components that are load bearing and non-load bearingare identified. By load bearing, it is meant that the internal componentcan accept a load without substantially affecting either its structuralor operational integrity. For example, an embedded battery having ashape that is stiff and resistant to flexing can be considered to beload bearing. By non-load bearing, it is meant that the internalcomponent cannot accept the load without substantially affecting itsstructural or operational integrity. A hard disc drive (HDD) althoughrelatively stiff and resistant to flexing, can be considered to be anexample of a non-load bearing component due to the potential deleteriouseffects of loads being applied to the drive, in particular, the R/Wcircuitry for non-solid state type memory. Furthermore, some componentscan be considered to be intolerant of being flexed and therefore must besupported in such as way as to avoid any flexing. Such components caninclude assemblies of components a number of which are surface mountedto a printed circuit board, or PCB, that can include, for example, amain logic board, or MLB.

Once the non-load bearing and load bearing internal components areidentified (as well as the flex intolerant components), an internallayer can be configured at 2506. The internal layer can be used todistribute and transfer a load without substantially affecting thehousing. In the described embodiment, the load can be distributed withinthe internal layer in order to, for example, dissipate highconcentration loads that could have an adverse impact on components orparts of the inner layer. For example, a high concentrated load receivedfrom the opening and closing of a display cover can cause an adhesivebond between a support structure and the housing to be damaged. At 2508,the inner layer can be attached to the housing. Typically, the innerlayer can be attached using an adhesive such as glue that does notfacilitate the transfer of the load from the inner layer to the housingnor should it substantially affect the load transferring anddistribution properties of the inner layer.

At 2510, the inner layer is connected to a structural support layer. Thestructural support layer can be formed of metal such as aluminum. Inthis way, any load received at 2512 can be distributed by the innerlayer and transferred to the structural support layer withoutsubstantially affecting the housing at 2514.

The various aspects, embodiments, implementations or features of thedescribed embodiments can be used separately or in any combination.Various aspects of the described embodiments can be implemented bysoftware, hardware or a combination of hardware and software. Thedescribed embodiments can also be embodied as computer readable code ona computer readable medium for controlling assembly operations or ascomputer readable code on a computer readable medium for controlling amanufacturing line used to fabricate housings. The computer readablemedium is any data storage device that can store data which canthereafter be read by a computer system. Examples of the computerreadable medium include read-only memory, random-access memory, CD-ROMs,DVDs, magnetic tape, optical data storage devices, and carrier waves.The computer readable medium can also be distributed overnetwork-coupled computer systems so that the computer readable code isstored and executed in a distributed fashion.

1. A computing device, comprising: a single piece, seamless housingformed of a lightweight, flexible material, the seamless housingcomprising: a top portion, and a body portion integrally formed with thetop portion; a movable top cover pivotally connected to the single pieceseamless housing, the movable top cover and the seamless housing shapedto create an appearance of a single continuous shape when the movabletop cover is closed and in contact with the top portion; and a bottomcover, the bottom cover arranged to provide structural support for thecomputing device such that a load applied at the housing is passed tothe bottom cover without substantially affecting the housing.
 2. Thecomputing device as recited in claim 1, wherein the top portion includesat least one user interface, and wherein the housing is formed ofplastic.
 3. The computing device as recited in claim 1, wherein thehousing encloses and supports a computer assembly, the computer assemblyincludes a plurality of components operable to provide a set of definedfunctions for the computing device.
 4. The computing device as recitedin claim 3, wherein the body portion has at least one unreinforcedopening having a wide span sized to accommodate a connector used toaccess at least one of the operable components.
 5. The computing deviceas recited in claim 4, wherein the connector is a USB connector.
 6. Amultipart computer housing comprising a structural support layer; and asingle, seamless body having no visible fasteners, the single seamlessbody comprising: an outer layer formed of lightweight flexible material,and an inner layer attached to the outer layer adapted to transfer anddistribute a load applied to the computer housing, wherein the innerlayer is physically connected to the support layer such that the load istransferred from the inner layer to the support layer withoutsubstantially affecting the outer layer.
 7. The multipart computerhousing as recited in claim 6, wherein the inner layer is attached tothe outer layer using an adhesive that buffers the outer layer from aload on the inner layer.
 8. The multipart computer housing as recited inclaim 6, wherein the multipart computer housing has a substantiallycontinuous cross sectional shape.
 9. The multipart computer housing asrecited in claim 6, wherein the inner layer includes a plurality ofstructural members conformally attached to an inside surface of theouter layer.
 10. The multipart computer housing as recited in claim 9,wherein the inner layer includes at least a load bearing componentattached to at least one of the plurality of structural members, theload bearing component acting in concert with the inner layer totransfer and distribute the load.
 11. The multipart computer housing asrecited in claim 10, wherein the inner layer includes at least anon-load bearing component, the non-load bearing component beingattached to at least one of the plurality of structural members by wayof load buffering connectors that buffer the non-load bearing componentfrom the load.
 12. The multipart compute housing as recited in claim 6,wherein the multipart computer housing is formed of plastic thatincludes PCABS.
 13. A method of organizing internal components of aportable computer, comprising: providing a computer housing formed ofsubstantially non-load bearing material, the computer housing configuredto enclose a plurality of operational components at least one of whichis a load bearing operational component; attaching at least onestructural member to an inside surface of the computer housing;attaching the load bearing operational component to the at least onestructural member; and forming a load path by coupling a structuralsupport layer to the at least one structural member and the load bearingoperational component, the load path providing a path by which a loadapplied to the computer housing is transferred to the structural supportlayer without substantially affecting the computer housing.
 14. Themethod as recited in claim 13, wherein the at least one structuralmember has a shape that conforms to an inside surface of the computerhousing.
 15. The method as recited in claim 14, wherein the at least onestructural member is attached to the inside surface of the computerhousing using an adhesive.
 16. The method as recited in claim 15,wherein the adhesive buffers the outer layer from the inner layer. 17.The method as recited in claim 13, wherein the computer housing isplastic.
 18. A portable computer, comprising: a housing, the housingformed of non-load bearing material, the housing having an aestheticallyappealing shape and aesthetically appealing surface features; a loaddistributing and load transferring endoskeleton attached to an interiorsurface of the housing; a structural support layer mechanically coupledto the endoskeleton, the structural support layer formed of metal, thestructural support layer providing structural support for the portablecomputer and an electrical ground, wherein a load applied to the housingis passed by the endoskeleton to the structural support layer withoutsubstantially affecting the housing; a protective layer attached to anexterior surface of the structural support layer, the protective layerhaving an appearance in conformity with the housing, the protectivelayer forming a junction with the housing that protects the appearanceof the housing; a top cover having a supporting inner frame; a displaysupported by the inner frame, the inner frame pivotally connected to theendoskeleton by way of a hinge arrangement; and a hinge arrangementenclosure arranged to enclose the hinge arrangement, wherein the hingearrangement enclosure comprises: a back portion, the back portion beingvisible to a user when the top cover is in a close state, the backportion being integrally formed from the top cover, and a cover portion,the cover portion being removably attached to the back portion by way ofa zipper lock arrangement such that when the cover portion and the backportion are joined, a resulting seam is not visible by the user when thetop cover is in a closed position, and where the resulting seam alignswith a seam formed by the protective layer and the housing when the topcover is in the open position.
 19. The portable computer as recited inclaim 18, wherein the housing is formed of plastic that includes PCABS.20. The portable computer as recited in claim 18, wherein theendoskeleton includes at least a frame member and a load bearingoperational component, the load bearing operational component arrangedto distribute and transfer the load without substantially affecting theoperational or structural characteristics of the load bearingoperational component.
 21. The portable computer as recited in claim 20,wherein the load bearing operational component is attached to the framemember such that the load applied to the housing is transferred by theframe member to the load bearing operational component that, in turn,transfers the load to the structural support layer.
 22. A lightweightportable computer, comprising a housing body, comprising an outer layerformed of lightweight and aesthetically pleasing material, and an innerlayer attached to the outer layer; a structural support layer, whereinthe inner layer is configured to transfer and distribute a load appliedto the portable computer to the structural support layer withoutsubstantially affecting the outer layer; and a top portion pivotallyconnected to the inner layer, the top portion comprising: an innerframe, and an aesthetically pleasing outer shell attached to the innerframe, wherein the inner frame transfers a load applied at the topportion to the structural support layer by way of the inner layer. 23.The lightweight portable computer as recited in claim 22, furthercomprising: a protective layer applied to an outer surface of thestructural support layer.
 24. The lightweight portable computer asrecited in claim 23, wherein the housing body, the top portion, and theprotective layer are harmoniously arranged such that the portablecomputer appears to have a substantially continuous and curved profile.25. The lightweight portable computer as recited in claim 22, whereinthe housing body comprises: a plurality of wide spanned openingssupported only by the inner layer.
 26. The lightweight portable computeras recited in claim 22, wherein the housing and the top portion areformed of the same lightweight material that includes PCABS.